Summer Water Use

During summer months, we receive more calls and questions about high water bills. Because a number of factors impact your bill, we want to provide information about water use, rates, meter reading and ways you can save this year. We also want to share the steps we've been taking to audit and confirm the accuracy of the City of Allen's billing operations and implement a smart water meter program.

Taking control of your water use

An important way you can take control of your water use is by learning how your irrigation controller works. In many cases of high water use, improper controller programming⁠—including "ghost" or unsuspected second or third watering cycles⁠—is the culprit. Learn how to take control of your sprinkler system.

We provide free classes, digital guides, monthly newsletters and video tutorials to help Allen water customers save water.

Summer water use always increases due to landscape watering

During the summer, up to 60% of water used in Allen comes from residential irrigation systems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family’s water in the United States use is 320 gallons per day. During the summer months, the national average increases to 1,000 gallons per day.

Water use spikes during the summer months mainly due to landscape watering. The EPA estimates that 50% of outdoor water use is wasted, in part due to overwatering. Learn how to save water in your yard this summer.

Why does irrigation increase during the summer?

The amount of water used during the summer can be directly linked to average temperatures, average rainfall and the speed at which water evaporates due to other factors, such as wind or humidity. These factors lead to watering increases, especially for homeowners with SMART sprinkler controllers. Learn more.

Water rate increase begins Nov. 1, 2021


During the last few years, annual wholesale water rates increased slightly for North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) member cities in order to fund projects necessary to keep up with population growth, replace aging infrastructure and for implementation of new water regulations. The City of Allen determines the need for rate increases as part of the annual budget process. If needed, new rates begin Nov. 1 of each year. This means, even if your water consumption is the same this summer as last summer, your bill may be slightly higher if the rate has increased. Find out more about water rates:

Do I pay higher rates if I use more water?

Water is billed using tiered rates to encourage water conservation. When water use exceeds designated amounts, that water is billed at a higher rate. The City of Allen has four tiers of water rates. Water billed at higher rates is itemized on your bill. View current rate tiers.

Your monthly bill includes charges for water used 4-6 weeks ago


When you open your most recent water bill, you won't see an impact from watering habits you recently changed or started. These charges reflect water used up to 4-6 weeks earlier, during the dates listed on your bill. That’s why it’s so important to check your irrigation system for leaks and your system controller for programming issues and errors early in the season. These are the primary causes for unexpected high water use.

Meters are read every month and tested upon request


Our meter reading technicians read each meter every month, even if you are enrolled in our bill averaging program. Readings are gathered using a handheld wand, which transmits the digital reading from your meter to the device's memory chip. Your previous reading is subtracted from your current reading; you are billed for the difference. With this meter reading process and data collection, the City is currently unable to determine how the water is used or the specific cause (days/times) of high water usage.

What if I think my meter is wrong?

If you think your meter is reading incorrectly, give us a call at 214.509.4500 and we will remove the meter and test it for $25 fee. If your meter is not reading correctly, we will waive the fee. Because meters tend to run slower or even stop reading as they age, only a minuscule number of meters have been found to incorrectly report higher than actual usage.

Doing our part: Allen water audit and smart water meter program

As a result of citizen's concern about high water bills in 2019, Allen City Council authorized an audit of billing practices and equipment. The audit focused on the meter reading process, metering equipment and utility billing process. It also included a data analysis of other factors which impacted water use such as temperature, rainfall and water leaks. The audit examined data from January 1-December 31, 2019.

Results of the audit were presented in a workshop to Allen City Council on July 27, 2020. The audit found no instances of overbilling and no discrepancies in bills recalculated in the review, but did reveal a need for policy improvements and updated meter testing standards.

Smart water meters coming

Following the audit in 2020, the City of Allen began planning for citywide installation of Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI), commonly known as "smart" water meters. AMI will offer Allen water customers several benefits, such as added insight and more control over their water consumption and increased confidence in the accuracy of water bills.

On December 14, 2021, Allen City Council unanimously approved a series of contracts to begin AMI installation late summer 2022. View details in the council agenda packet (beginning on page 230) or watch the full Council presentation.

Find out more on the CityofAllen.org/SmartMeters page. This page will be updated with ongoing information as installation approaches. Full deployment of smart meters citywide is anticipated to be complete December 2023.